Earl Bennett staved off a potential trade late last August to retain his No. 3 receiver role throughout the Chicago Bears' 2013 season.

ESPN Chicago's Jeff Dickerson reported Tuesday that Bennett is expected to be released after declining a pay cut.

Falling to the fifth option in the passing attack, Bennett managed a paltry 243 receiving yards on 32 catches primarily out of the slot last season. Of 111 receivers ranked by Pro Football Focus, Bennett's average of 7.6 yards per reception was dead last -- a full yard shy of Davone Bess.

Bennett is due nearly $2.5 million this season. It's easy to see why the Bears would prefer to replace him with raw but talented 2013 seventh-round draft pick Marquess Wilson.

Once he's cut loose, Bennett might want to dial up former Bears coach Lovie Smith, who could use a slot receiver between Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams in Tampa.

He was lightly used last year, but he apparently has pretty good hands. Here is the PFF Drop Rate (Drops / Catchable Targets) for the past 5 seasons for Bennett compared to DBowe, Donnie Avery (4 seasons due to injury) and Emanuel Sanders (4 seasons) for context.

Earl Bennett: 7 drops / 191 catchable = 3.66%

Emanuel Sanders: 13 drops / 174 catchable = 7.47%

Dwayne Bowe: 40 drops / 355 catchable = 11.27%

Donnie Avery: 25 drops / 175 catchable = 14.29%

I don't know if Bennett can get separation, but I like a guy who can catch what's thrown to him.

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